Chapter Text
The conference room was quiet, the steady hum of computers and the rustling of paperwork filling the air. The team was scattered around the room, each of them buried in their respective tasks. Hotch stood at the front, leaning against the whiteboard, his expression serious as usual, but with an underlying tension that piqued the teams interest.
“Alright, listen up,” he began, his voice cutting through the silence, “I’ve got some news for all of you.”
The team turned their attention to him. Derek shot Emily a curious glance, and Rossi, leaning back in his chair, raised an eyebrow. Garcia was the first to speak, her voice light and teasing.
"Please tell me it's not more paperwork," she said, flashing a playful smile.
Hotch gave her a pointed look. "No, Garcia, it's not paperwork. But it's something just as unusual."
"Uh oh," Emily muttered, crossing her arms. "What’s going on?"
Hotch pushed off the whiteboard and walked over to the table, flipping through a few files before looking up again.
“You’re going to have an intern shadowing the team for the first time,” he said, the words hanging in the air for a moment.
The room fell into an awkward silence, each member processing the idea in their own way. Interns weren’t a regular part of the BAU, especially not in the field, and certainly not at their level. JJ, always the first to speak, blinked in surprise.
"An intern? Like, a student?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Hotch nodded. "Yes. Spencer Reid. He's a fifteen year old prodigy who's been accepted into a specialized program with the FBI. He's been shadowing other departments, but this will be his first time with a field unit."
Rossi leaned forward, his elbows on the table. "Fifteen? Hotch, are you serious? A kid in the middle of this job?"
“He’s not exactly a typical fifteen year old," Hotch replied, his tone slightly defensive. "The kid’s brilliant - he’s been working with professionals for years already. He’ll be fine, but I expect all of you to make him feel welcome.”
Derek raised an eyebrow. "Fifteen, huh? That’s a little... young for field work."
“I know,” Hotch said with a sigh. “I’m not thrilled about it either, but this is the Bureau’s decision. He’s been accepted into a program specifically for exceptional university students, and he technically makes the cut as he currently attends CalTech. They want him to gain experience with us. He’ll be shadowing our team on cases, getting his feet wet, and in the meantime, he’ll be doing research for his PhD thesis on criminal behavior. Think of it as a unique opportunity for him to learn and for us to maybe learn something from him, too.”
Emily exchanged a glance with JJ. "Do we even know if he’s going to be able to handle what we do? The pressure, the emotions, the violence - can a kid like that deal with it?"
"He’s been through a lot already. The kid’s a genius, maybe one of the smartest people you’ll meet, but he’s still a teenager, and he’s going to need guidance. I’m trusting all of you to help him adjust."
Garcia tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “So when does the little genius start his gig?”
“Monday,” Hotch replied. “He’ll be here to observe at first, but don’t forget that he’s still part of the team. He’s going to need your support, so be nice. This is a unique situation for all of us.”
Derek nodded slowly, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "A kid in the BAU. This’ll be interesting."
“Just remember,” Hotch continued, giving each of them a stern look, “This is serious. He’s here to learn, and we need to set a good example. Reid might be young, but he’s not here to just watch from the sidelines. He’s here to contribute.”
“I’m guessing no hazing?” Emily quipped, her voice a mix of humor and genuine concern.
Hotch didn’t smile. “None. I’m serious, Prentiss.”
Derek sighed dramatically. “Alright, I’ll try not to scare the kid away. But no promises.”
“We’re all known for being tough, Derek,” Hotch replied, eyes narrowing. “Just keep that in mind when he gets here.”
“It’ll be good. We’ll make him feel at home.” JJ smiled.
Hotch gave them all a quick nod. “I’m glad you’re all on board. Remember: he’s coming in on Monday, and I expect you all to be professionals. He’s smart, but he’s still a kid.”
As the team murmured their acknowledgments, Hotch turned back to his desk, the gravity of the situation settling in. This was going to be a unique challenge for all of them.
*****
Monday morning arrived with an unusual buzz in the air. The team was already gathered in the bullpen, starting their day with the usual cases, coffee, and quiet conversation, when the elevator doors opened with a soft ding. All eyes turned as a scrawny teenager stepped off the elevator, looking around with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
Spencer Reid wasn’t like anyone the team had ever seen before - he was thinner than most, his clothes slightly too big for his frame, and his hair a bit messier than what you’d expect from a BAU agent. He was barely older than a high school student, and yet, there was something in his eyes - intense, eager, and sharp - that made it clear he wasn’t here just to play.
He hesitated, standing just by the entrance, trying to figure out where to go. His hands fidgeted nervously at his sides, and his back was slightly hunched, a telltale sign of someone who’d spent too much time trying to shrink away from attention.
Hotch noticed him first, of course. He stood up from his desk, the usual air of authority about him, but there was something softer in his expression as he stepped outside.
“Spencer?” Hotch called out, his voice steady but welcoming.
Spencer looked up, startled, and took a small step forward, his gaze flicking quickly between Hotch and the rest of the team. He nodded quickly, his voice quiet and unsure. “Uh, yes, sir. That’s me. I’m, uh, Spencer Reid.”
Hotch gave him a small but reassuring smile. “You’re right on time. I’m SSA Aaron Hotchner. Welcome to the BAU.”
Spencer blinked, clearly taken aback by the warmth in Hotch’s tone, and then quickly offered a hesitant smile, though it was almost lost behind the trepidation that clung to him.
“Thank you,” Spencer said, voice small but sincere.
Rossi stood from his chair, offering Spencer a more relaxed greeting. “Welcome, I’m SSA David Rossi. We’re glad to have you with us.” He extended a hand, but Spencer hesitated for just a moment before shaking it, his grip light and unsure.
Hotch noticed the way Spencer fidgeted, the way his eyes darted nervously to the team members who were quietly observing from their desks. He wasn’t exactly used to being the center of attention, that much was clear.
“Why don’t we go to my office for a minute?” Hotch suggested, motioning toward the hallway.
Spencer nodded quickly, the eagerness to please evident in his eyes. He followed Hotch, with Rossi falling in step beside them, as they made their way down the corridor toward Hotch’s office. Spencers oxfords clicked lightly on the floor, the sound oddly loud in the otherwise quiet building.
Once inside the office, Hotch gestured for Spencer to sit in the chair across from his desk. Spencer hesitated, then sat down, his posture still a bit too stiff, as if he were afraid of saying or doing something wrong.
Rossi sat across from him, leaning back in his chair, his hands folded comfortably in his lap. Hotch took a seat behind his desk, folding his hands in front of him.
“Look, Spencer,” Hotch began, his tone a little softer than usual, “I know this is a big adjustment for you. You’re here to shadow the team, and I’m sure it’s a lot to take in.”
Spencer nodded quickly, biting his lip as if fighting to say something, but unsure of how to phrase it. Hotch gave him a moment before continuing.
“Listen, you’re not in this alone. Rossi and I are here to help you with anything you need. If you’re unsure about something, or if you need guidance, don’t hesitate to come to either of us. We’re not just here to have you observe, we want you to learn, but we also want to make sure you’re not overwhelmed.”
Rossi smiled, his voice calm and reassuring. “Hotch is right. This job isn’t just about solving cases, it’s about working together, and that means supporting each other.”
Spencer looked between them, his eyes wide with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. “I- I’m not sure where to start, or what’s expected of me,” he admitted, his voice quiet.
Hotch leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady. “For now, just observe. Take notes. Pay attention to the way we approach cases, how we interact with victims and their families, and how we analyze evidence. But also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s no such thing as a silly question here.”
“And if you’re feeling lost, or need a break, just let us know. We’ll make sure you have everything you need.”
Spencer nodded again, though his nervousness hadn’t completely dissipated. “I’ll do my best.”
“We know you will,” Hotch replied, giving him a reassuring smile. “You wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think you were capable.”
The words seemed to sink in, and for the first time, Spencers shoulders relaxed just a little. He wasn’t quite as stiff, and his eyes lost some of their wariness. “Thank you,” he said softly, looking down at his hands for a moment before looking back up at them. “I won’t let you down.”
“We’re not worried about that,” Rossi said. “Now, how about we get you started? We’ve got a case we’re about to start working on right now, and I think it might be a good one for you to jump into.”
Spencers eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement, his nerves momentarily forgotten. “A case? I- yeah, I’d like that.”
Hotch stood, motioning for Spencer to follow them. “Alright then, let’s get you settled in. We’ll take it slow today. Just follow our lead, and we’ll see what you can bring to the table.”
Hotch led them back into the bullpen, where the team was gathered for their morning briefing. The chatter died down as they entered, all eyes turning toward the new, somewhat out of place face standing just behind their leader.
Spencer hesitated, standing a little straighter, suddenly feeling the weight of the eyes on him. His fingers twitched at his sides, but he kept his hands firmly clasped behind his back, trying to look as professional as possible, even though his nerves were getting the best of him.
Hotch gave a quick, reassuring glance at Spencer before turning to the rest of the team. “Alright, everyone, gather around. This is Spencer Reid, our new intern. Spencer, this is the team you’ll be shadowing.”
The team members exchanged quick looks before standing up from their desks and coming closer. Derek was the first to approach, his large frame a stark contrast to Spencers wiry build. Spencer stiffened a little, but Derek gave him a friendly smile, offering a firm handshake.
“Hey, kid,” Derek said with a grin, his voice easygoing. “I’m Derek Morgan. It’s nice to meet you. Don’t worry, I won’t bite.” His eyes twinkled with mischief, as if he was already planning a way to tease Spencer in the near future.
Spencers grip was light but firm as he shook Derek’s hand. “Uh, thanks,” he said, voice small but grateful. “I’m, uh, really excited to be here.”
Derek gave a small nod, his expression shifting to one of amusement. “Yeah, I can see that. You look like you’ve got the nervous genius thing down already.” He winked, and Spencer flushed slightly, unsure if he was being teased or just greeted.
Next, Emily came over, her smile warm and inviting. “Hi, Spencer,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Emily Prentiss. It’s nice to meet you.”
Spencer offered a shy smile, shaking her hand with a touch of hesitation. “It’s nice to meet you, too. Uh, I’m just trying to take it all in.”
“Good luck with that,” Emily said, her tone friendly and teasing. “We’re a lot to handle, but it’ll get easier once you get to know everyone. Just don’t let Derek intimidate you too much. He’s all bark.”
Spencer couldn’t help but crack a small smile at that. Emily’s warmth was immediately disarming, and he felt a little more at ease.
JJ stepped forward, giving Spencer a kind smile as she approached. “Hey there, Spencer. I’m JJ,” she said, offering a handshake. “Welcome to the team. If you ever need help with anything - whether it’s a case or just figuring out the coffee machine - let me know.”
“Thank you,” Spencer said, nodding gratefully. “I appreciate that. I’ve been reading a lot about the team’s work, I hope I can contribute.”
JJ chuckled softly. “I’m sure you will. Just remember, we’re all here to help you. No need to feel like you have to do everything on your own.”
At this point, Garcia bounded up to Spencer, her colorful attire and high-energy presence a stark contrast to his more reserved demeanor. “Spencer Reid! The prodigy genius who’s gonna be helping us crack cases? I’ve read so much about you already! You’re going to love working with us, well, mostly me,” she added with a wink.
Spencer blinked in surprise, clearly thrown off by Garcia’s exuberance. “Uh, thank you?” he said, his voice filled with a mix of confusion and intrigue. He wasn’t used to this kind of enthusiastic welcome. “It’s nice to meet you?”
Garcia didn’t seem to mind his uncertainty, her smile growing even wider. “Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll take care of all your techy needs! Anything you need for your research, I’m your girl. I’m practically a walking database, just ask!”
Spencer, still somewhat overwhelmed, nodded quickly. “I’ll definitely keep that in mind.”
Hotch cleared his throat gently, signaling it was time to get things moving. “Alright, everyone. Let’s get started. Spencer, you can sit in on the briefing today, and then we’ll get you involved with the case. I’ll give you a quick rundown of what we’re working on, and then we’ll go from there.”
The team gathered around the large table in the briefing room, each taking their usual spots. Spencer sat at the far end, his back straight, focused as Hotch began to lay out the details of their new case.
“Alright,” Hotch began, “We’ve got a new case. A series of disappearances in the D.C. metro area. Three women in their late twenties to early thirties have gone missing in the last two weeks, all in different neighborhoods, but there’s a pattern emerging.”
He clicked a button on the projector, and a map of the city appeared on the screen. It marked the areas where the victims were last seen - downtown, Georgetown, and near the outskirts of the city. Each location had a red pin, each pin representing one of the missing women.
“Victim one was a teacher, victim two was a marketing executive, and victim three worked in law. They have no apparent connection, but there are similarities in how they were abducted - each woman was taken in broad daylight, and there’s been no sign of struggle at the scene.”
Rossi leaned forward slightly. “It’s strange. Normally, if someone’s taken in daylight, there’s a public disturbance, or at least someone notices. But these were all clean snatch-and-grabs, almost professional.”
JJ nodded. “And we know from the victims' backgrounds that they didn’t know each other, so it’s not like this is personal. No connections between them whatsoever.”
“That’s the problem,” Hotch continued, “We don’t have a connection between the victims, and without that, it’s harder to understand the motive. We’re dealing with someone who’s methodical, likely targeting women based on some specific criteria that we don’t yet know.”
Spencers mind was already working, analyzing the information presented, the oddities, the inconsistencies. The questions were beginning to bubble to the surface. He raised his hand almost instinctively, unsure if he should interrupt.
Hotch, who had been watching him since his arrival, gave a small nod. “Go ahead, Reid. What’s on your mind?”
Spencer shifted in his seat, his voice a little uncertain but his question clear. “So, you said there’s no sign of struggle. That suggests the victims weren’t forced into the situation - they may have known their abductor. But then, why would they not try to escape or signal for help? Did they go willingly because they trusted the person, or is there something else we’re missing?”
“That’s a good point,” Rossi said, his voice slow and reflective. “If there’s no sign of a struggle, we’re looking at someone with a certain kind of charm or authority. Someone who can disarm a victim, convince them that they’re not in danger.”
“It could mean we’re dealing with someone who’s already in the victims’ circles - someone they know but wouldn’t immediately suspect. Maybe they’ve been preying on their trust.” Emily added.
JJ nodded in agreement. “It’s possible. If these women went willingly, it suggests the abductor knew exactly what to say or do to keep them calm and cooperative. Maybe they trusted him in some way. But we still need to figure out what method or manipulation he’s using.”
Hotch gave Spencer a quick, approving glance. “Exactly. It’s a good observation. The fact that there’s no physical violence involved means the abductor is relying on something else - persuasion, manipulation, even a false sense of safety.”
Spencer felt a small sense of pride, even though his question had been born more out of instinct than anything else. He hadn’t expected the team to respond so thoughtfully, but now that they had, it made him feel like he was contributing in a meaningful way.
Hotch continued. “We’ll be investigating the victims' personal lives, looking for any connections they might have had with someone in their immediate circle. Friends, family, coworkers. We’ll also be reviewing any surveillance footage from the areas where the disappearances took place, but we might be dealing with a perpetrator who knows how to avoid cameras.”
He turned to the screen, clicking to another slide that showed the details of each victim - pictures, job backgrounds, and personal information.
“We’re going to break up into groups. Rossi, you and Emily will check out the victims’ homes and speak with anyone close to them. JJ, Derek, I want you to go over the footage we’ve gathered and see if you can spot any leads. Spencer,” Hotch looked at the young intern, his expression slightly more serious now. “I’d like you to help Garcia with the background checks. Start with the victims’ social media, family, and work connections. See if you can uncover any patterns or similarities that we might have missed.”
Spencer nodded quickly, his eyes lighting up. “I’ll get started right away,” he said, almost eager, his mind already working through the task at hand.
Garcia perked up. “Ooh, I love it when we get to dig through the digital skeletons of the victims. You’ll be my partner in crime, kiddo. Don’t worry, I’ll teach you all my fun little tricks.”
Spencer smiled slightly, feeling a little more at ease with each interaction. It was clear Garcia had a unique way of making things seem less intimidating.
Hotch gave a nod of approval, his eyes scanning the room. “Alright, let’s move out. We’ll regroup later this afternoon for an update.”
*****
Spencer followed Garcia into her office like a puppy, his eyes immediately widening as he took in the vibrant chaos surrounding him. The walls were covered in neon decorations, pop culture figurines lined the shelves, and multiple monitors flickered with streams of information he couldn’t yet make sense of.
It was a stark contrast to the sleek professionalism of the rest of the BAU. Garcia’s world was a controlled kind of madness.
She plopped down in her chair, spinning once before coming to a stop. “Alright, boy genius, welcome to my domain!” she announced dramatically, waving her hands like a magician revealing her greatest trick. “This is where the magic happens. Crime fighting, internet sleuthing, and occasional online shopping - it all happens right here.”
Spencer hovered awkwardly beside her, unsure of where to stand, what to do with his hands, or how to respond. His fingers twitched slightly before he clasped them behind his back again. “Uh... cool?” he said hesitantly, his voice just a little too formal for the moment.
Garcia grinned, leaning back in her chair. “Oh, you are adorable,” she said, shaking her head. “I mean that in the most respectful, completely professional, not-at-all-condescending way possible.”
Spencer blinked. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “So, uh, what exactly do we start with?”
Garcia smirked at his awkward attempt at small talk and decided to take pity on him. “Okay, kiddo, let me show you the ropes.” She tapped a few keys, and her screens lit up with various databases, social media feeds, and facial recognition software. “These beauties right here? They let me dig into every digital breadcrumb a person leaves behind. Social media, bank records, traffic cams - if it’s out there, I can find it.”
Spencer leaned in slightly, his curiosity outweighing his nervousness. “That’s impressive,” he admitted, tilting his head as he studied the screens. “You can cross-reference all of these data points in real time?”
Garcia raised an eyebrow. “Ooooh, someone speaks my language,” she said, pleased. “Yes, Dr. Doogie Howser, I can. And that’s exactly what we’re about to do.” She clicked another few keys, pulling up the profiles of the missing women. “We need to look for patterns - people they interacted with, places they frequented, even things they posted about before they disappeared. You up for that?”
Spencer nodded quickly, his nerves giving way to focus. “Yes. Definitely.”
Garcia gestured to an extra chair, and Spencer hesitantly sat down, still a little stiff. She pulled up a keyboard and slid it toward him. “Okay, genius, let’s see what you’ve got. Try running a cross-check on their most recent check-ins and compare it to the geolocation data from their phones.”
Spencers hands hovered over the keyboard for a moment before he started typing quickly. His fingers flew across the keys, his brain working even faster than his hands as he navigated the unfamiliar software with startling ease.
Garcia watched, impressed. “Well, well, well,” she mused, folding her arms. “Someone learns fast.”
Spencer, completely focused, barely registered the compliment. “The second victim checked into a coffee shop near Dupont Circle two days before she went missing... and so did the third victim, just three days earlier.” He frowned slightly. “But their work and home addresses are in completely different parts of the city. Statistically, that’s unlikely to be a coincidence.”
Garcia let out a low whistle. “Hotch was not kidding about you.” She leaned in, eyes scanning the screen. “Okay, that’s something we can work with. Let’s see if victim number one was there, too.”
Spencer quickly pulled up her data, and sure enough, two weeks before her disappearance, she’d been in the same area.
Garcia smirked, nudging him lightly with her elbow. “You, my dear boy, are officially my new favorite.”
Spencer ducked his head, flustered, but there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.